Prevalence of small lung opacities in populations unexposed to dusts. A literature analysis

Despite the wide use of the International Labor Organization (ILO) system for reading chest radiographs, little information is available regarding the prevalence of abnormalities in populations unexposed to dusts. Prevalence studies of radiographic changes consistent with dust inhalation, as classified by the system, would be more meaningful if there were better understanding regarding the extent of abnormalities in unexposed populations.

To determine small opacity prevalence in unexposed populations, a review of articles published since 1970 that used the ILO system to classify radiographs of the unexposed, either as subjects or control subjects, was performed. Criteria for inclusion in this review included ascertainment of the lack of exposure of subjects to occupational dusts, and independent reading of radiographs by at least two readers certified in the ILO system (B readers) or experienced in its use. A total of eight published articles presenting data on nine study populations were included in this study.

The prevalence of small opacities graded 1/0 or greater varied widely, with a range from 0.21 to 11.7%. A meta-analysis of the published data yielded a population prevalence of 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.9 to 7.7%). The prevalence was significantly greater in Europe than in North America (Europe, 11.3%; 95% CI = 10.1 to 12.5%; North America, 1.6%; 95% CI = 0.6 to 2.6%). A subset of the studies contained information on gender that showed greater prevalence of lung opacities in male subjects than female subjects (male subjects, 5.5%; 95% CI = 3.4 to 7.6%; female subjects, 3.5%; 95% CI = 1.3 to 5.8%). Based on estimated age information, the studies were divided into two strata (mean age < 50 years vs > or = 50 years). The age-specific pooled prevalence was higher in the studies with mean age > or = 50 years than studies with mean age < 50 years in both Europe (11.7% vs 9.6%) and North America (2.3% vs 0.6%). Prevalence of lung opacities remained significantly higher in Europe and North America in each age stratum. The large difference in the prevalence between Europe and North America could not be explained on the basis of age, gender, or smoking history, although available age and smoking data are less robust.

These results indicate that a background level of opacities consistent with the radiographic appearance of pneumoconiosis exists in populations considered to be free of occupational dust exposure. Environmental and unaccounted occupational exposures, as well as reader variability, all may play a role in the determination of small opacity prevalence in these subjects and may explain the large differences between Europe and North America. Thorough ascertainments of occupational and environmental exposures are essential to determine the true significance of opacities in populations who are not exposed to dust.